Last game of the season...

Tango1953

Well-known member
I was all up for resting Yates and others if we confirmed our play off spot tonight, but I think we just need to keep momentum now. I like the idea of Lincoln and Sunderland fighting it out and us taking on 6th place, ideally Portsmouth.

Strong team on the last game, what do you think? Result or rest?
 
Its tough isn’t it, you want momentum but I also want to rest some of these players who don’t seem to have missed a beat for months. I suspect he will make 3 or 4 changes to be honest. Ballard out for Ek, garbutt out for Mitchell, Kenny out for Stewart and Simms out for Holmes. We will see.
 
We must win the game to guarantee 3rd place. You could leave one of Yates or Simms on the bench and swap them if we are winning. Rest One of the central defenders and play Ekpiteta? Don't make too many changes in the starting lineup.
 
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We must win the game to guarantee 3rd place. You could starleave one of Yates or Simms on the bench and swap them if we are winning. Rest One of the central defenders and play Ekpiteta? Don't make too many changes in the starting lineup.
Lets Take whatever place comes out way, sensibly rest players who have run there hearts out literally and give others game time Marv Keshi and all.
 
I think the players are bought into the squad football style Critch employs so swapping a few in and out shouldn't be too disruptive. We really just have to trust them now.
 
I was all up for resting Yates and others if we confirmed our play off spot tonight, but I think we just need to keep momentum now. I like the idea of Lincoln and Sunderland fighting it out and us taking on 6th place, ideally Portsmouth.

Strong team on the last game, what do you think? Result or rest?
I also think it would be good if as many fans as possible turn up well before the match on Sat and give all at the Club a massive vote of support for what’s gone on this season and looking forward

it needs to be socially distanced and well behave ( no nonsense) just sensible celebration and good will
 
I think we get about 10 days rest between Sunday and the first leg, so there really isn't a need to rest too many players. I'd start a strong side, and try and keep the momentum going, it's so important going in to the playoffs.
Yes the ball is in our court to finish third so let's do it and maintain momentum.
 
Yes the ball is in our court to finish third so let's do it and maintain momentum.
I asked this question re resting quite a few players, but tend to sway on the not too many changes as there is a rest period after Sunday anyway. So let's rub Joey's nose in it on & see if we can kill them off before HT then make a few more changes.
Edit. I've just remembered that the highest 2 teams play the second leg at home which should be advantageous. I wonder who we'll play. It's Portsmouth's to lose I guess.
  • Oxford United12:00Burton Albion
  • Portsmouth12:00Accrington Stanley
  • Sunderland12:00Northampton Town
  • Lincoln City12:00AFC Wimbledon
  • Blackpool12:00Bristol Rovers
  • Charlton Athletic12:00Hull City
 
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I also think it would be good if as many fans as possible turn up well before the match on Sat and give all at the Club a massive vote of support for what’s gone on this season and looking forward

it needs to be socially distanced and well behave ( no nonsense) just sensible celebration and good will
Seems a bit daft turning up on Saturday to me 😉
 
Not too worried about resting players, TBH. More than a week to go until the first play-off leg so time to work on knocks, etc.

Actually more interested in getting some game time to some of the returning players. Think Big Marc might come in handy if we play Sunderland again, for example
 
Maxwell, Ballard, Garbutt, Dougall and Yates shouldn't play on Sunday, not so much about rest as we can't afford for any of these to get a long term injury.
We could still put a team out that's good enough to get a result but those 5 shouldn't be exposed to risk of injury or suspension.
 
I was all up for resting Yates and others if we confirmed our play off spot tonight, but I think we just need to keep momentum now. I like the idea of Lincoln and Sunderland fighting it out and us taking on 6th place, ideally Portsmouth.

Strong team on the last game, what do you think? Result or rest?
I’m for rest personally. We are a good deep squad which can rotate and still win.
However, there are 3 or 4 players (Maxi, Ballard, Dougall and Yates) that I would not want to see being helped off by the physio in the final game of the season.

Put them on the bench if needed but don’t risk them.
You can start Keshi or Holmes instead of Yates, or even let Dimi loose behind Simms
Stewart in for Kenny
Marv for Ballard
Moore for Maxi.
 
I think winning the game and securing 3rd place is more important than resting too many players. Sub players if we have a decent lead. Barton will be looking for his team to throw a spanner in our works and they have nothing to lose now
 
I suppose it’s to much to ask for Madine to get some game time under his belt in preparation for the play offs?
 
In Mr Critchley we trust. He must be so proud of these players and the adversity they have all endured this brilliant season. Promotion or not they have all done the famous Tangerine jersey proud.
For what it's worth, I've always believed in playing your strongest team. Just like a long distance runner, after the Rochdale and Shrewsbury games, I think we have gained "second wind" . I wouldn't therefore make wholesale changes, especially with a break coming up. If we can get a few on the injured players back before the playoffs' it would be a huge bonus as some of the other playoff contenders may not have played against some of them. This also gives the manager greater scope for tactical changes.
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE INVOLVED .
U.T.M.P.
 
First point is that we, and I am sure Critch and the team, want to win this game to maintain momentum.

There are 3 reasons to change the team. 1) to give some extra recovery time for those players that need it, 2) to protect key players against injury/suspension prior to POs and 3) to give game time to returning players. Also need to stir into the mix that Embleton might not be available for POs.

To cover point 3) I'd expect Stewart, Keshi and Marv to being given at least a half each - Stewart starting in place of Kenny, Marv in place of DB and Keshi in place of Embleton. That combination does not weaken the team and possibly strengthens it.

For point 1) and 2) we are looking at Jerry mainly. I would be tempted to bench him - could then play Keshi or KK (if fit) up front.

If we are comfortably ahead then I'd be tempted to pull Garbutt off, as I believe he is key to our current attacking threat, and I'd hate for hime to pick up an unnecessary injury.

Would also be nice to give Holmes a good amount of game time (as a sub) if the match position allows.
 
Win the game, finish 3rd, more prize money for Mr Sadler and you never know, thanks to the instabilities in football, if someone above us in the Pyramid goes pop, we might get the call to go up!

For all that, after all the years of pishing about on last games of the season - will we get in the play-offs? Will we get relegated? Etc. Etc. Isn’t is nice that for once some of the pressure is off as we enter a game.

Same can be said for The Gas, I’d imagine it will be like a pre-season friendly with lots of “irregulars” starting for both sides and a full complement of subs being used, but I’m sure our side will end the game as a more recognisable team than the one that starts as Critchley will have an eye on that 3rd place.

A luxury not something that Portsmouth, Oxford or Charlton will be able to enjoy as they will be going all out in those final games - never really did us any harm though, in fact if anything it always seemed to give us some momentum!

Yes I know I contradicted myself, that’s the Play-Offs for you, a contradiction and a lottery!
 
I think we can rest a few and still field a team that will comfortably beat the worst team in the league by whatever measure you choose. I wouldn't be surprised if they also fielded some young lads as Barton has said he wants a clear out in the summer.
 
Looked like a boy in a man's game last night - too early for me.
Not sure how you can judge a player who gets literally only a few minutes on the pitch ( less than 20 minutes in total for 4 of our recent games).At the very least If things are going ok on Sunday I’d like to see him get more time on the pitch to build up his confidence and experience and allowing others some extra rest time.Maybe even start him and see how things go.
 
Win the game, finish 3rd, more prize money for Mr Sadler and you never know, thanks to the instabilities in football, if someone above us in the Pyramid goes pop, we might get the call to go up!

For all that, after all the years of pishing about on last games of the season - will we get in the play-offs? Will we get relegated? Etc. Etc. Isn’t is nice that for once some of the pressure is off as we enter a game.

Same can be said for The Gas, I’d imagine it will be like a pre-season friendly with lots of “irregulars” starting for both sides and a full complement of subs being used, but I’m sure our side will end the game as a more recognisable team than the one that starts as Critchley will have an eye on that 3rd place.

A luxury not something that Portsmouth, Oxford or Charlton will be able to enjoy as they will be going all out in those final games - never really did us any harm though, in fact if anything it always seemed to give us some momentum!

Yes I know I contradicted myself, that’s the Play-Offs for you, a contradiction and a lottery!
There is no extra prize money in League 1 for which position you finish.
 
Looked like a boy in a man's game last night - too early for me.
Mitchell made a run and Holmes was about to shoot but Mitchell carried on and fluffed it.

With the lads finishing there's no knowing If he may have put it in and then gained confidence.

Hes not had a chance created for him to score from so we dont yet know but sometimes these youth players have even more pride than the regulars to prove themselves and do it for the club they love.

Let's see if he gets some more minutes before casting solid opinions.
 
There is no extra prize money in League 1 for which position you finish.
Think that second leg of the semis being at home is the massive benefit bb- especially if we get some fans allowed in- Jerry’s hyper at the best of times but my god with a few fans chanting his name that would pump him up even more if that’s possible
 
Three key points here: 1. Some players need to be rested. 2. Fringe players with a "realistic" chance of playing a part in the play offs, need some game time. 3. Need to have a team capable of getting 3 points on Sunday to get 3rd place and with it the most favourable draw in the semis. NC just needs to get the right balance and let's face he has done OK so far.
 
Judging from Critch's interview, I think anyone who has played week in, week out will be rested. So I'd guess Ballard, Maxwell, Yates and maybe Dougall?
 
You never feel tired when you’re winning. Third place is crucial in this mix, so nothing should be allowed to interfere with that. If we can build a lead, make the changes then.
 
Yates will be absolutely fooked. Rest Kaikai, Yates, Ballard and Dougall.

Other than that a full strength XI with Anderson, Stewart, Ekpiteta and Mitchell in!
 
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Judging from Critch's interview, I think anyone who has played week in, week out will be rested. So I'd guess Ballard, Maxwell, Yates and maybe Dougall?
I think for me it's not even about resting players. On a wet pitch with players who won't give a shit from the opposition, there could be a few crunching tackles going in and you wouldn't want to risk injury when the Play Offs are 10 days away.
 
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